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8.2.19

Does Edwards support his party members' bills?

In the spirit of aiding voters for this upcoming Louisiana governor’s contest, this post will solicit answers from Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards. These questions derive from high-profile legislation his fellow partisans in office have proposed as legislation (although not all yet submitted formally as bills) both in Congress. Simply, I’m asking the governor, yes or no, in the case of state legislation if it came up in Louisiana in identical form whether he would veto the bill, or in the case of national legislation whether he supports that legislation:

1.     Would you veto New York’s SB 240, the bill that decriminalizes abortion, allows it up to the moment of birth for unspecific “health and safety” reasons, and permits individuals other than doctors to perform it?

2.     Would you veto Virginia’s HB 2491, the bill that allows abortion up to the moment of birth, require only one rather than three doctors certifying that the birth would likely result in the woman's death or “substantially and irremediably” impair her mental or physical health, and permits abortions after the second trimester to occur outside of state-licensed hospitals?

3.     Would you veto New Mexico’s HB 51, the bill that decriminalizes abortion, removes conscience protections that would force medical professionals to participate in abortions, and allows it up to the moment of birth?

4.     Would you veto Vermont’s H 57, the bill that creates a fundamental constitutional right to an abortion at any time regardless of age, declares that “A fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus shall not have independent rights under Vermont law,” and contains no provision against coerced abortions?

5.     Would you veto Illinois’ SB 107, the bill that bans semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with a detachable magazine if the gun has one or more cosmetic features such as a muzzle brake, pistol grip or adjustable stock, plus pistols with a similar list of features?

6.     Would you veto Illinois’ HB 888, the bill that requires legal gun owners who apply for a mandatory state-issued Firearm Owners Identification Card turn over a list of their social media accounts to authorities under threat of a felony?

7.     Would you veto California’s AB 18, the bill that taxes the sale of handguns and semiautomatic weapons in order to generate funding for gun control programs?

8.     Would you veto Connecticut’s HB 5700, the bill that raises the tax on ammunition in the state by 50 percent?

9.     Would you veto New Jersey’s A2694/S1073, the bill that allow counties and municipalities to create stormwater management utilities dedicated to reducing flood risk and cutting back on the amount of pollution that washes into waterways, funded by fees assessed to property owners based on the amount of impervious surfaces such as roofs and driveways that they have on their property?

10.  Would you veto California’s SB 562 from 2017, the bill that creates a single-payer health care system run by the state?

11.  Would you support an asset tax on Louisiana residents of 0.1 percent tax on net worth above $50 million, similar to that proposed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren?

12.  Would you support the “Green New Deal” as proposed for introduction to Congress by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

None of these bills by members of Edwards’ party are hypothetical; they are real and with details. As he shares the label and professes largely agreement with Democrats across the nation, it begs the question of whether he would act to further any, some, or all of these agenda items.

Whether he would veto these if they passed in Louisiana and crossed his desk, or would give his formal endorsement in the case of the pair of Congressional bills, only he knows at present. But, if he wishes the privilege of serving as their governor again, Louisiana voters deserve to have him reveal his preferences on these issues, and not have their concerns on these brushed aside and ignored.

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